Tag Archives: Uwharrie Trail

As we transition into spring, our hiking genes kick in. We think not only of our favorite two-hour hikes, but also of those hikes that present a greater challenge, that will prepare us for the epic mountain hikes we hope to take this summer, whether in our own Southern Appalachians or beyond.read more

Monday — never an easy time for the outdoors enthusiast. After a weekend of adventure, returning to the humdrum work-a-day world can make one melancholy. To help ease the transition, every Monday we feature a 90 Second Escape — essentially, a 90-second video or slide show of a place you’d probably rather be: a trail, a park, a greenway, a lake … anywhere as long as it’s not under a fluorescent bulb.read more

Little Long Mountain (photo courtesy The Land Trust for Central North Carolina)

When Don Childrey was a Boy Scout in Burlington in the 1970s, his Troop No. 73 frequently went backpacking in the Uwharrie Mountains.
“I didn’t realize at the time what a big deal it was,” recalls Childrey.
The big deal was that Asheboro area scout leader Joe Moffitt had grown weary of taking his troops to the mountains for their 50-mile backpacking badges. Shoot, we could do those here, he figured, what with the 51,000-acre Uwharrie National Forest in his backyard. So he set about, over just five years, to build a trail running from the Asheboro airport off NC 49 south to NC 24/27, distance of about 40 miles. (Additional trail on the southern end of the forest boosted the overall total closer to 50.) Moffitt worked with the U.S. Forest Service to blaze some of the trail, he worked with private land owners, primarily on the north end, to blaze more. Moffitt’s localness and ability to get along with anyone went a long way toward getting private landowners on board.
In the ‘80s. Moffitt’s handshake agreements didn’t always translate as land was handed down to younger generations. Increasingly, sections of the once legendary Uwharrie National Recreation Trail on private lands disappeared. By the early ‘90s, the trail was down to 20 miles, from Tot Hill Road south to NC 24/27.read more

For the most part, you can hike in the mountains year-round. Hiking in the Piedmont is enjoyable from October into May, and at the coast conditions are favorable for three, maybe four months of the year (the non bug-infested months). Winter, though, is the one time when all regions, from mountains to sea, are in play for a good hike. Here are our recommendations for hikes that seem especially well-suited for December.read more

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GetHiking! Corporate before hitting the trail at Hanging Rock State Park.

If you’re interested in bringing all the wellness benefits of hiking to your workplace, we can help.

GetHiking! Corporate is an 8-week, employer-sponsored program designed to get employees out of their cubicles and into the woods. What’s the difference between walking a few times around the building at lunchtime and hiking for a couple hours on the weekend? Rather than rushing to get in those laps before you return to your desk, you’ll be challenging mind and body as you move on natural surface with more ups and downs, twists and turns. Rather than focusing on the email you need to send, you’ll be navigating trees and rocks, allowing your brain to shift focus and stress to flow right out of you. In eight short weeks, you’ll be more relaxed, have more stamina, and be more ready than ever to tackle whatever work challenges come your way.read more

Hiking regularly, or making a hike a part of your regular exercise regimen, can have a dramatic impact on your physical and mental health. It’s something nearly everyone can do, and it’s a lifelong activity, something you can do long after your body has said no to more aggressive outdoor pursuits.read more

GetHiking! has Meetup-based hiking groups in North Carolina in Charlotte, the Triad, the Triangle and Western North Carolina, and in Charlottesville and Virginia Beach in Virginia., with a combined membership of more than 8,200. Emphasis for each group is on local hikes; about once a month we try to do a combined hike, either in the mountains, the Uwharrie National Forest or at one of the larger state parks in the Piedmont.read more

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Let’s start with the weekend forecast: A summertime forecast, especially for Saturday, when we’re looking at temperatures around 90 with the chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Sunday, it cools into mid-80s under mostly sunny skies. Now, the options, which we’ll break into two categories: Water The beach. You can go to the beach, but what you […]

Back in March, way back in March, the American Hiking Society faced a dilemma. National Trails Day, observed the first Saturday in June since the early 1990s, would have to look different this year. In the past, the day was marked by hundreds of events nationwide at which people would gather to build trail, maintain […]

If you want proof of the healing powers of nature, look at the extended spring with which we’ve been gifted. A handful of days in the 80s, some rain, but for the most part, temperatures in the low 70s, dry skies, sun. The kind of days you expect (but still greatly appreciate over) in […]

Stormy weather sticks around, for much of the region, though Saturday: Sunday, it’s low 70s and sunny. Perfect weather for getting outside. But will everyone be thinking along the same lines? Today, we direct you back to some of our strategies for avoiding the crowds that have caused some state parks in North Carolina to […]

Hiking trails continue to be over-run. Thank the run of great weather (OK, there’s been a little rain here and there) and a lack of other recreational options during the age of Coronavirus for that. But this overcrowding is more of a situation for trails intended for two feet. What about all the trails built […]